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Preview: Football playoffs

No. 1 Geneva (10-0) at No. 9 Rockton Hononegah (8-2)

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Geneva 27, Rolling Meadows 7; Rockton Hononegah 42, Prospect 31

Advancement: Winner will play No. 4 Carmel (10-1), a 10-7 winner over No. 12 Woodstock (7-4) Friday night

Players to watch: One of the most electrifying runners to play in the state of Illinois this season, Geneva running back Michael Ratay continues to carry the load for the Geneva offense. The senior is averaging more than 220 rushing yards per game. Ratay (230 carries, 2,207 yards) has rushed for 35 touchdowns. Dating back to last year, Ratay is aiming for his 17th consecutive game of 100-plus rushing yards. The Geneva faithful would certainly love to see him finish his career with 20 straight, culminating with a Class 7A championship in Champaign. Fullback Drew Fagot (61 carries, 400 yards, 4 touchdowns) and the Vikings offensive line pave the way for Ratay while junior quarterback Brandon Beitzel (60-of-113, 828 yards, 9 interceptions, 7 touchdowns) has been put in a position to maximize his strengths. Wide receiver Charlie James has grown into the offensive system with 4 of his 6 catches coming in the past two weeks. Jason Holmes leads the Vikings receivers in receptions (18), yards (335) and touchdowns (5). Defensively, there were a lot of eyes on Rich MacDonald last week as he replaced junior defensive Frank Boenzi, who is expected to be out again due to mono. "He had a great game last week and we have some guys like that who in other years would be starting for us," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "We didn't know Frank wasn't going to play until Thursday so that says a lot about how Rich was coached up and ready to go, and for the most part he didn't miss a beat." MacDonald finished with 6 tackles in the win over Rolling Meadows. Rockton Hononegah has found great success by handing the ball to big fullback Brett McWilliams (6-foot-3, 220 pounds). The senior has rushed for 1,264 yards on 187 carries and scored 13 touchdowns. Brian Bean, who had 116 rushing yards last week, also gets some carries, as do Collin Rohs and Tyler Tucek. Quarterback-turned-wide receiver Dustin Meier (17 catches, 257 yards, 3 touchdowns) and sophomore quarterback Chase Robinson (35-of-60, 529 yards, 5 touchdowns) have blossomed after taking on new roles in Week 5.

Outlook: McWilliams offers somewhat of a new and bigger challenge for the Vikings. The team did minimize a big fullback when it slowed Dan Ruppenthal (16 carries, 65 yards) of Rochelle in Week 8, but McWilliams looks to be an even bigger load. "I don't think we've seen a fullback like this kid so defensively we're going to have our hands full," Wicinski said. "He's their main guy, but they've got a nice quarterback who runs the offense really well and two nice backs on the wings. The line does a nice job of getting off the ball and they're very effective." Similarly, the Indians haven't had to try to stop a running back the caliber of Ratay, which is worrisome to the hosts. "Anytime you've got someone running for 220 (yards) a game he's got to be your main focus," Rockton Hononegah coach Tim Sughroue said. "But their fullback does a nice job and their receivers and quarterback are nice players as well." The Vikings offensive and defensive line are both bigger than the Indians, and while that can be advantageous it can be detrimental too. "If we can't handle their speed then we'll have to go toe to toe and try to cut the gaps," Wicinski said. "This could be a big issue both offensively and defensively and they'll probably split us out on the defensive side of the ball. If we're not sound and disciplined they can crease you very easily." Another thing to consider is what's on the line. While the Vikings are determined to get further than they did last year, the Indians have already accomplished most of their goals, having won their first playoff game since 1996 last week. They can play the role of underdog and spoiler. "The goal was to play 11-plus games," Sughroue said. "Now we're there and have a tough task at hand." For Geneva, the goal is to earn a chance to play in No. 12 next weekend.

Bottom line: If the Vikings defense continues to play at a high level they should be able to take care of the Indians, especially since the hosts have not had to defend a team with the size of the Vikings nor a special player like Ratay.

No. 7 St. Charles East (8-2) at No. 2 Cary-Grove (10-0)

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday

Last week: St. Charles East 17, Lake Zurich 14; Cary-Grove 47, Rockford Guilford 0

Advancement: Winner will play No. 3 Rockford Boylan (10-0) or No. 6 Crystal Lake South (8-2) in the quarterfinals

Players to watch: It's one thing to salivate over a running back's impressive numbers, but it's another thing to take in account when the same player is coming up really big. St. Charles East senior Wes Allen was fantastic last week, scoring the game-winning touchdown with a little over a minute remaining. He rushed for 188 yards last week and has 291 carries this fall for 1,906 yards and 26 touchdowns. Recently named the Upstate Eight Conference Offensive MVP, Allen will need to rise to the occasion once again. Quarterback Tim Russell was intercepted 3 times last week, which almost buried the Saints. He seems to throw picks in bunches with 8 of his 9 coming in three games. Russell has thrown for more than 800 yards and has 6 touchdown passes. All-around playmaker Dan White has seen time at quarterback, and while coach Ted Monken has been mum at times about who will quarterback each given game, one would think Russell would get the nod in this second round game. White, Tyler Nutting and Paul DeBord are the Saints' top receivers. Eric Chandler leads the Trojans' triple-option offense with 1,087 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. When the ball doesn't end up in the hands of Chandler, often times that's because quarterback Tyler Krebs has decided to hold onto it and with more than 60 carries and 525 rushing yards, that's been a good thing. And if those two aren't enough to worry about, there's wingbacks Alex Hembrey and Jonas Mack, both whom have rushed for more than 525 yards and have combined for 11 touchdowns. If the game comes down to a few points and the Trojans are within 35 yards or so of the end zone, don't be surprised if place kicker Marcus Kerrigan is summoned. The strong-legged kicker booted a 51-yard field goal that proved to be the difference in a 24-21 victory over St. Charles North in Week 1.

Outlook: Deception. The Trojans triple-option operates in such a way that they hope to leave the Saints asking themselves, "Who has the ball?" With only a week of practice to prepare to defend this running attack, and one that requires great attention to detail, the Saints understand how important this component of the game will be. "Anytime you've got to defend the triple option you've got to cover the whole field and you can't miss tackles," Saints coach Ted Monken said. "It's so timing related. And when you give a coach like Bruce Kay and those guys time to start doing their job, then they get faster and faster at doing it and it becomes more difficult to defend. That's why a lot of teams practice without a football." No matter how well the Saints prepare to defend, it's going to take live action to really address how the Trojans offensive line is blocking and cutting and how effective their attack will be. Last week, it took the Saints some time to adjust to Lake Zurich's attack and by halftime they were able to shut them down. They'd much rather be able to react and have an answer defensively much sooner. "There was a learning pyramid that went on and that first quarter is always huge because the opponent isn't ready no matter how hard you simulate what they do in practice," Monken said. "Last week our defense didn't play very well initially, focused at halftime to assignments, made a couple of adjustments, settled down and then really shut them down." Cary-Grove, the 7A runner-up in 2004, recognizes that the Saints persistently use their offensive line and Allen to control time of possession and get into the end zone. There's no deception there as Allen has rushed for 100-plus yards in all 10 games this season. The Saints have played in several close games this season and come out victorious in each one save for the quadruple overtime loss to Neuqua Valley. That should bode well if this proves to be another tight battle. "We've learned to not panic and get it done," Monken said. "We keep the game close, keep the clock running and make plays. When we do that we've got a chance to win one." The Saints are just 2-2 on the road.

Bottom line: The Saints continue to persevere while the Trojans refuse to lose. Cary-Grove is 54-5 in the past five years and hasn't lost by more than 2 points since Nov. 12, 2005. Does that mean this one is going to go down to the wire? Perhaps, and if it does, it certainly won't be anything new for the guests who will try to persevere into the quarterfinals.

No. 8 Coal City (7-3) at No. 1 Aurora Christian (10-0)

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday

Last week: Coal City 17, Sandwich 10; Aurora Christian 41, Plano 0

Advancement: Winner will play No. 4 Driscoll (8-2) or No. 5 Mendota (8-2)

Outlook: Big defensive lineman Peter Kariotis will try to continue to make life difficult for opposing offenses by pressuring the quarterback. Lewis Gaddis, Ryan Perik and Luis Solorio can be counted on to help slow Sandwich, just like the Eagles did in an impressive shutout last week against the defending state champs. Kicker Jake Van Gilse might be overlooked, but he is a weapon that could help the Eagles win a close game after booting a pair of 40-plus yard field goals against Plano. Quarterback Jordan Roberts will try to continue finding junior Matt Morse, who caught four touchdown passes for the third time this season last week. The Eagles have been looking forward to their chance to knock off seven-time defending state champion Driscoll, and now that potential matchup is just a week away. Aurora Christian will have to make sure it is not looking past Sandwich and take care of business, just like it has all year.

No. 5 Nazareth (8-2) at No. 4 St. Francis (9-1)

Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last week: Nazareth 63, Freeport 29; St. Francis 49, Belvidere North 14

Advancement: Winner will play No. 1 Montini (10-0) or No. 9 Hillcrest (6-4) in the Class 5A quarterfinals

Outlook: Who would have thought that the last Wheaton football team left standing would be St. Francis? The Spartans earned a decisive 49-14, running clock win over No. 13 Belvidere North, getting touchdowns from six different players while allowing scores only on a kickoff return and a late touchdown against the second-team defense. Yet it could prove to be a painful win, as 1,494-yard rusher Mark Kachmer (ankle) and top receiver Brett Robinson (hip) are listed by Spartans coach Greg Purnell as day-to-day. While running back Stan Bobowski has come to the fore with 611 yards rushing and consecutive 100-yard games, should St. Francis' two injured stars be held out it'll mean greater roles for backs like Dave Sufranski, Tony Vargyas and Ryan O'Donnell, and will leave improved play-action passer Jeff Reckards without his chief long threat. Purnell said the key will be the Wing-T offense's ability to move the chains and eat the clock against a Nazareth team that returns top linebackers Jon Nelson and Mike Williams from injury. To reach its first state quarterfinal since 2000, the Spartans will also need their defensive quickness against a big offensive line to contain Division I recruit LaSteven McKinney and Nazareth quarterback Adam Marske. Former Driscoll mastermind Tim Racki has his Roadrunners on the fast track to success, taking them to the 2007 quarterfinals just three years removed from a 1-8 campaign the year before his arrival. Rocking No. 12 Freeport last week 63-29, Lining up in a variety of spots, McKinney scored 3 touchdowns both rushing and receiving; he has 1,042 yards rushing with 22 touchdowns, has caught 20 passes for 262 yards and is a factor on kick and punt returns. St. Francis linebacker Ryan Ferguson, the Spartans' leading tackler with 99, will draw the bead on McKinney, but Purnell sees the Roadrunners' linchpin as Marske, who has completed 120 of 214 passes for 1,506 yards, 14 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions.

St. Charles East defensive back Eian O'Brien was honored this week with a spot on the all-Upstate Eight team. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer
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